Entry into your haymaking season? Now is the time to buy a baler. With various options available, it is helpful to know which is the best choice for your harvest. Baler is useful for putting hay or straw into a more compact, easy-to-stack form for storage. It could very well turn out to be the best farm worker for you this year!
So read on to find out everything you need to know.
Types of balers
Balers are typically used to bind small square, large square and large round bales of hay or straw together. How do these three types of balers differ?
Small square baler
Small square baler is ideal for small square bales of hay and straw in all sizes and weights. It consists of UV-stabilized polypropylene or sisal yarn.
Big Square Baler Twine
Big Square baler twine is made from durable, stabilized polypropylene. This is useful in harsh Australian weather conditions. It is perfect for all of your large hay and straw bales and you can use it in all balers and every harvest.
Round baler
Traditional round balers are also made from durable, stabilized polypropylene and sisal yarns. It is suitable for all types of round bales and harvests.
What is the difference between polypropylene and sisal baler?
The two main properties of balers are polypropylene and sisal. What's the difference between them?
Polypropylene baler
Polypropylene baler contains 100% polypropylene. It is therefore cheaper and lighter, but powerful. It is a stronger material than sisal baler and due to its low density it can float. The bonus? It's easy to knot.
The danger of polypropylene balers and nets is that they are often not properly removed from a hay or straw bale and are contained in animal feed. The result? The digestive tract of farm animals can be blocked and microplastics can enter the food chain. Another consequence is plastic yarns and nets that pollute the environment. The decomposition of polypropylene takes 50 years, but can be recycled.
Sisal baler cord
Sisal baler consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and waxes. Sisal fibers come from the agave factory and are excellent sound and shock absorbers. Fibers can be twisted in herringbone, plaid or twill form. Their natural antistatic properties resist moisture absorption or dust trapping. In its original form, sisal fiber is a neutral color that can be colored in different colors. The advantage? It is easy to distinguish and environmentally friendly due to its biodegradable nature.
What are the other uses of balers?
Due to its strength and durability, the baler can also be used as a rope or rope-like application. If you have an old baler that you want to use on your farm, don't throw it away. Here are eight ideas to try:
- Build a grid: Do you have beans or other climbing vegetables? Build a grid with your baler.
- Make a lead rope: Shortage of cash? Just do a lead rope with a clip and braided baler thread. Alternatively, tie a quick release knot so that the baler acts as an emergency line or tie for your farm animals.
- Create a hay net: Instead of throwing out the baler that was part of your hay bale, use it to create a hay net, and you don't have to go out and buy one.
- Make an emergency halter: It's easy to make a holster for your cows, goats, horses and sheep. A note of caution: the baler can be too rough for your horse's skin, but is a practical temporary solution if you need to quickly build an emergency holster.
- Mass Es: You may not always have a tape measure in your back pocket. A piece of string is the perfect measuring device if you need to quickly write down the dimensions of your animal so that you can refer to it later and compare it.
- Repair a fence: Do you need to repair your fence quickly? Baler is a fantastic material for repairing electrical, wire or wood gaps. It also secures temporarily damaged boards and keeps your animals safe and healthy in their pastures.
- Tie it up: Whether you need more hanging space or are looking for a place to secure or bind an item, baler cord is your answer. Simply loop it on a hook to hang up your farm tools, poultry feeders or hay nets. It also secures tarpaulins over your agricultural equipment.
- Use it in your tomato bed: Baler can work well as a tomato yarn if you have a small vegetable garden.
When used correctly, the baler offers numerous advantages for your farm, plants and animals. Make sure it isn't wasted and always recycle your baler whenever possible. It's definitely time for you to buy a baler!
